Pet-Friendly Colleges: A Home Away From Home
Choosing a college is a significant milestone, and for many students, the thought of leaving their beloved pets behind can be disheartening. Fortunately, a growing number of colleges and universities are recognizing the benefits of pet companionship and have implemented pet-friendly policies. These policies allow students to bring their furry, scaled, or feathered friends with them on their academic journey, creating a more comfortable and supportive environment.
The Rise of Pet-Friendly Policies
More than three dozen colleges permit dogs and cats on their campuses, even if they are not service animals or emotional support animals. This trend reflects a growing awareness of the positive impact pets can have on students' well-being. For many, pets offer comfort, stress relief, and a sense of home in an unfamiliar environment.
Federal Law and Assistance Animals
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), colleges are required to allow service animals on campus and in dormitories. Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that have been individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. These tasks can include guiding individuals who are blind, alerting those who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, or reminding someone with a mental illness to take medication.
If it is not obvious what service an animal provides, the college may ask whether the animal is a service animal and what services the service animal has been trained to perform. Colleges may ask for the service animal to be removed if the service animal is not housebroken or if the service animal is out of control.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are animals whose presence alleviates a person’s symptoms or disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs do not need to be trained to perform specific tasks.
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The Fair Housing Act (FHA) does not limit the breed of service animals and assistance animals. If the resident’s disability is not apparent, the college may ask for documentation of the disability, such as a letter from a medical professional or social worker.
College Pet Policies: A Varied Landscape
Colleges set their own rules with regard to pets that are not service animals or assistance animals. Most colleges allow fish, and some permit amphibians, reptiles, and small caged pets, such as hamsters and chinchillas. However, the specific regulations can vary significantly from one institution to another.
It’s important to note that every college will have its own pet policy, however, there are some common ones that many schools have. Before making any decisions, be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific pet policies of each institution.
Pet-friendly dorms require colleges to consider things like safety concerns, noise complaints, how to avoid agitating animals during fire alarm tests, as well as additional costs for cleaning, Layden said. Some schools charge a pet fee, which varies by school, type of pet and is often included in housing expenses. Others require students to have liability insurance and roommate agreements.
Examples of Pet-Friendly Colleges
Here are some examples of colleges with pet-friendly policies:
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Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL): Eckerd College is a leader in pet-friendly campuses, offering dedicated dorms for students with pets-from small animals like hamsters and rabbits to cats and dogs after your first semester. Each year Eckerd hosts a pet graduation ceremony for students’ pets - complete with tiny grad caps and gowns - to celebrate your four-legged (or winged) friend’s “completion” of college life alongside you! Eckerd has had pet-friendly dorms since 1973. At Eckerd, students can bring their family pets to live with them on campus after their first semester.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT allows only cats, in limited numbers and in preapproved spaces.
University of Northern Colorado: At the University of Northern Colorado, students in three of the more than dozen residence halls on campus are allowed to have dogs and cats. The animals must be at least 6 months old and no more than 40 pounds (18 kilograms). Students are limited to one pet.
Washington & Jefferson College (Pennsylvania): Washington & Jefferson College was a trailblazer in pet-friendly housing, and its standout feature is the “Pet House” in Monroe Hall-a dedicated dorm for up to 32 students and their pets. Even outside the Pet House, fish are permitted in other dorms. Perks include a dog-washing station and a social lounge just for pet owners, creating a strong sense of community.
Lyon College: Lyon College might be small, but its pet policy is big on heart. Students can live with cats, dogs (under 50 lbs), or fish in designated pet-friendly dorms-as long as pets arrive within the first two weeks of the semester.
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Johnson & Wales University (Providence): Johnson & Wales University in Providence offers pet-friendly housing in two dorms, where students can live with one approved cat or dog. There’s a vetting process: a non-refundable cleaning fee, proof of vaccinations, and adherence to an approved breed list are all required.
SUNY Canton: SUNY Canton has been ahead of the curve in pet-friendly living since 1997, when it launched its dedicated “Pet Wing”-one of the first of its kind. Here, students can live with small pets like cats, dogs (under 40 lbs), rabbits, or ferrets.
Lees-McRae College: Lees-McRae College lets students bring their cat or dog to campus-after completing two semesters in on-campus housing. There are some rules: pets must be at least a year old, and certain breeds and sizes aren’t allowed for safety. Even faculty and staff can bring pets, creating a cozy, welcoming vibe.
Stetson University: Stetson University offers two designated residence halls that welcome cats, dogs, and more-if you meet all guidelines and secure approval. What truly sets Stetson apart is its partnership with service animal organizations, allowing students to foster and help train future service dogs.
Pfeiffer University: Pfeiffer University introduced its pet-friendly dorm and the university’s goal is creating a more comforting, connected student community.
University of Northern Colorado (UNC): While most breeds are welcome, a few are restricted for safety reasons (for instance, Rottweilers and Boxers didn’t make the cut). UNC encourages nail caps or declawing for cats to minimize room damage, and all pets must be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
University of Wyoming: The University of Wyoming offers pet-friendly campus apartments for upperclassmen and married students who want to bring a cat or dog to college life-just one per resident.
Stephens College: Stephens College has been a pioneer in pet-friendly campus living since 2004, allowing not just cats and dogs, but also small mammals, birds, and more-with approval. Pets must be vaccinated, dogs and cats spayed or neutered, and dogs crated when unattended. If you couldn’t bring your own pet, you can still care for one while studying.
Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Clarion, PA): Students living in designated animal-friendly housing may have a pet, including cats, dogs (under 40 pounds when fully grown), birds, ferrets, chinchillas, fish, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, amphibians, and small reptiles.
Other Pet-Friendly Institutions:
- Alfred University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Delaware Valley University
- Harvey Mudd College
- Kansas State University
- Stanford University
- University of Florida
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
- University of Washington
- Warren Wilson College
Benefits of Bringing a Pet to College
Bringing a pet to college can offer numerous benefits:
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Studies have shown that interacting with pets can lower stress hormones and increase feelings of relaxation.
- Companionship: Pets can provide a sense of companionship and reduce feelings of loneliness, especially for students who are far from home.
- Routine and Responsibility: Caring for a pet can help students establish a routine and develop a sense of responsibility.
- Social Connection: Pets can be a conversation starter and help students connect with others who share their love of animals.
- Alleviate homesickness: Over half of students experienced some kind of homesickness, with 11 percent feeling homesick often, according to data from EdSights.
Responsibilities of Pet Ownership
While bringing a pet to college can be rewarding, it's essential to be a responsible pet owner. This includes:
- Adhering to all campus regulations and pet policies.
- Ensuring your pet is well-behaved and does not disrupt other students.
- Providing proper care for your pet, including food, water, exercise, and veterinary care.
- Cleaning up after your pet and maintaining a clean living environment.
- Respecting the rights and needs of roommates and other residents.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
It's important to distinguish between service animals, emotional support animals, and pets. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities and are protected under the ADA. Emotional support animals provide comfort and support but are not trained to perform specific tasks. While colleges are required to accommodate service animals, the rules regarding emotional support animals and pets may vary.
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